Midtown Fort Myers development begins with 'Collaboratory'

A Southwest Florida landmark is undergoing a major identity change as it sparks development in Midtown.

You know it as the old train depot and Southwest Florida Museum of History, but as of Thursday, it's now being called the Collaboratory.

It's part of a project spearheaded by the Southwest Florida Community Foundation. The City of Fort Myers is helping to fund the more than $10 million project as part of a New Market Tax Credit deal, a program that encourages economic development in distressed neighborhoods.

Florida Community Loan Fund provided money for the NMTC allocation, and U.S Bancorp Community Development Corporation is an investor as well. Whitney Hancock provided additional financing.

"This project is for the community, it involves the community and we're looking for so much interaction," said Sarah Owen, president/CEO of the Southwest Florida Community Foundation.

When complete in summer 2018, the Collaboratory will feature work space available for gatherings and special events. The center utilizes state-of-the-art technology giving businesses, organizations and the general public the ability to communicate with others across the five Southwest Florida counties they serve.

Not to be forgotten, the Collaboratory is being built as a "LEED" creation using sustainable resources. It uses less water and energy while saving thousands in utilities.

"They can all be part of the conversation without having to come to a physical space," Owen said.

Think of it as a high-tech library, without the books. The building is open to the public, but could one day also be the future home of satellite college campuses.

That has city leaders like Mayor Randy Henderson excited for what the technology center could bring to the Midtown community.

In December 2016, city council pledged $200,000 over the span of five years as seed money for the technology hub with an additional $2.5 million to improve the Midtown streetscape.

"The city council wrapped their arms around this in record time. It's a very sophisticated project, and we're lucky to have it," Henderson said.

With millions committed to the project, Henderson said it shows the level of dedication city leaders have for helping Midtown live up to it's potential.

The Collaboratory is located on Jackson Street just south of downtown and is expected to open in Summer 2018.

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